Three in four mothers-to-be miss out on flu jab

Almost three-quarters of pregnant women have not been vaccinated against swine flu, the Health Secretary has admitted.

Andrew Lansley said although the number of expectant mothers who have received the seasonal flu injection had almost doubled compared to last winter, more than 70 per cent remain unprotected.

Critics say the axing of the annual flu jab advertising campaign left mothers-to-be confused about whether they qualified for protection on the NHS.

What now? Critics say the axing of the annual flu jab advertising campaign left mothers-to-be confused about whether they qualified for protection on the NHS

Awareness is increasing, but many surgeries are running out of jabs and pharmacies are refusing to give it to pregnant women.

Official figures show just 27 per cent of pregnant women have been vaccinated, compared to more than 40 per cent of asthmatics and other under-65s at risk of severe illness. More than 70 per cent of pensioners have opted for the jab.

Changes to the immune system make pregnant women more likely to catch swine flu and to suffer pneumonia and other complications. Their unborn baby is also at risk.

The decision to add pregnant women to the ‘at-risk’ groups entitled to an NHS vaccination was made early last year, but was not made the focus of an advertising campaign.

Labour health spokesman John Healey said in a letter to Mr Lansley that there was public confusion over who the at-risk groups were and who was entitled to a free jab.

He asked why the Health Secretary didn’t ensure more effort was made early to reassure pregnant women the vaccine was safe and important, and why he axed the autumn advertising campaign.

Frances Day-Stirk, of the Royal College of Midwives, said it seemed women were not made aware of the jab’s benefits early enough.

Mr Lansley said the decision on who to vaccinate was made by scientific advisers independently of ministers and that a mass advertising campaign on swine flu vaccination would have been ‘wastefully focused’ on the entire population, when only certain groups were eligible for a free jab.

He added: ‘GPs have been inviting those in at-risk groups to receive the flu vaccine since October and the lack of an advertising campaign this year has had no discernible impact on the uptake of flu vaccine.’

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘At every stage, we have been guided by the advice of independent experts.’

Flu has claimed 112 lives this winter, with swine flu blamed for most. Senior doctors have warned that the NHS is in ‘gridlock’.

John Heyworth, of the College of Emergency Medicine, said: ‘We have seen A&Es overwhelmed, with people queuing on trolleys and long delays even for those admitted to intensive care.’

The Health Department spokesman said the NHS was better prepared than ever to deal with flu and that the number of intensive care beds taken up by flu patients was falling.